David Bruton re-signs with Broncos

Posted by Josh Alper on March 11, 2013, 12:16 PM EDT

AP

The Broncos kept a key member of their special teams off the open market when they signed safety David Bruton to a three-year deal on Monday.

Bruton was set to become a free agent on Tuesday, but John Elway announced on Twitter that he decided to remain in Denver instead. Bruton has not seen much time on defense in Denver since joining the team as a fourth-round pick in 2009, starting four times in four seasons, and it’s fair to wonder if his decision to remain in Denver was influenced by things he may have heard about his chances of playing a bigger role on defense from other teams over the weekend.

Bruton has made 32 tackles on special teams over the last three seasons and has been particularly good as a gunner on the team’s kick coverage. He was a Pro Bowl alternate for his work in the 2012 season and led the Broncos in special teams snaps in 2012.

The Broncos have also issued tenders to several restricted and exclusive rights free agents in the last couple of days. With Bruton back in the fold, the team has nine players set to become unrestricted free agents on Tuesday.

Very happy to see this. He is a hell of a special teamer. He had two blocked punts in one game this past season. That and he is always down the field around the tackle, or the one making the tackle. Key piece.